My number one piece of advice for women who want to live a more bold and courageous life is just do it! And I would add adopting two lessons I have given my own son to live by in following his quests; never burn a bridge (ok, sometimes they get torched, but it can’t be without a soul searching attempt to avoid it), and own your integrity (at any cost).
It’s great to be able to list a pedigree education focused on a particular vocation. Interesting, but it far underestimates what you are capable of. What type of activities make time whiz by and leave you energized? What are your core skills? Are you good in a crisis? If you look back at your life, you will find these patterns. Grab them, and explore how to play them to your advantage.
Most of all, experiment.
I find myself recommending some steps to follow:
- Raise your hand. Some of the most transformational experiences of my life came from being ‘thrown off the back of the boat’ in what seemed an impossible assignment in the midst of a grand crisis. My boss said, “You will figure it out”. Oh my … sheer terror. But he was right, in a crisis you reach deep down inside and find the answers are there. Stunning life lesson.
- Ask for the job. Women often won’t apply for a job. “But I only have 6 out of the 8 requirements!” Eh gads, there are guys who have only 2 and are lining up at the door.
- Work for leaders. They will teach you. The great ones are very hard on you…because they want you to grow. Growing as a leader is what it’s all about. You have to create your own style of leadership…but listen, watch and learn from the best.
- Trust your intuition. We all have this skill, but it takes effort to hone it. The biggest mistakes I’ve ever made is not listening when I sensed the warnings and decided to ignore them.
- Take risks. Somehow I ended up in five different industries and three different professions. It wasn’t some brilliant grand design. But I took risks and got on the surfboard to ride the wave. There were some terrific near drownings AND some spectacular rides. But I’m not done yet and neither are you.